Deforestation is the permanent destruction of forests and other woods in order to convert them into land that can be used for agricultural or other human pursuits (Omeje, G. 2017). Deforestation policies are regulations enacted by governments around the world that are intended to limit deforestation and protect biodiversity. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of deforestation policies on sustainability in Pakistan.

Pakistan has a long history of deforestation due to population growth, industrialization, and climate change (Shahzad et al., 2018). Over the last few decades, Pakistan has experienced an increase in urbanization as people move from rural areas into cities. This has resulted in increased demand for wood fuel which has caused a dramatic decrease in forest cover (Naseer & Aziz, 2011). Additionally, industrial activities such as mining have contributed significantly to forest degradation (Rehman & Khan, 2016). Climate variability also plays a role; extreme weather events like floods and droughts cause deforestation because they damage existing vegetation and reduce soil fertility (Khan et al., 2020). As a result of these factors combined with poor resource management practices by both private companies and government agencies, it is estimated that only 2% of Pakistan’s original forests remain today (Ali & Iqbal-ud-Din 2014).